November 1, 2026

Dear UD students, staff, and faculty,

I am writing to you about the shooting last night in Newark on Main Street, although it is difficult to know what to say when violence like this erupts in our community. We are all impacted. I ask that you keep the victims in your thoughts and hearts as they receive care. Please also recognize the impact and toll on our students and community members who were on Main Street last night and witnessed this violence. We each need to reach out and make sure people are supported and know about resources.

I am grateful to the tight partnership among the Newark Police, UDPD and first responders from across the county and state who all responded within minutes, and whose coordinated actions provided on-scene life-saving care.

As our understanding of the situation continues to evolve, we recognize that there are a lot of questions and rumors. Please look to the Campus Alerts page, which contains prior updates and will provide further updates as information is available and confirmed as well as additional in-person campus support and resources as they are put in place. The banner at the top of the UD homepage will list when a new update is posted.

The value that we all put on community at UD is something that I cherish, and it is something that we all need today.

Yours in UD,